By Alexa Cheaney
On Wednesday, Jan. 24th Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave her 6th State of the State address from Lansing, launching her 2024 agenda to reduce the biggest expenses in most Michiganders’ budgets, with focuses on education and housing, as well as bringing more jobs into the state.
Whitmer began with a recap of her previous year in office, listing achievements such as rollbacks on senior taxes, protecting abortion rights through the approval of Proposal 3, allowing children to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26 and free school lunch and breakfast for all K-12 students.
Expanding education remained a prominent topic at this year’s address, as Gov. Whitmer announced that the Pre-K for All program, originally introduced at the 2023 State of the State to provide all 4-year-olds a free preschool education, is set for rollout two years ahead of its original 2027 date. The governor estimated that this program can save parents up to $10,000 on education for their children.
Higher education, which has become increasingly more expensive and less accessible, is also seeing an overhaul in the Great Lakes State. In previous years, the cost of college has been lowered through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, as well as the Michigan Reconnect program. In the biggest cost reduction effort yet, Whitmer’s budget proposal would provide two years of free community college to all high school graduates.
Democrats of Grand Rapids Community College President Alex Toren expressed excitement towards this initiative in an email to The Collegiate. There is no Republican group currently active on campus.
“The rising cost of higher education in our country has created a difficult obstacle for students and families to get around,” Toren wrote. “We must continue to create new opportunities to send Michigan students into high earning careers to ensure our state and our economy continue to flourish and grow.”
This proposal would save students an average of $4,000 on tuition. This allows families to put more money into groceries, home expenses and any other expense that may arise.
“We need to better prepare students for success after they graduate, whether they go right into the workforce, or enter community college, trade school, or a four-year university,” Whitmer said. “There is no correct path, but every person deserves a path.”
In an additional effort to reduce the financial burden of families, the governor introduced the caregiver tax credit. This would allow people caring for sick or aging relatives to write off those expenses and save up to $5,000 on taxes.
“By allowing people to write off caregiving expenses including counseling, transportation, nursing or respite services, we can save them money. We can help more seniors age at home in dignity, instead of a costly or long-term option,” Whitmer said.
The governor also spoke about another issue plaguing the minds of many people across the state, especially those in Generation Z: the cost and accessibility of housing.
Cities around the state, such as Traverse City, struggle to house all their teachers, and here on the west side, students struggle to find housing.
“In other words,” Gov. Whitmer said. “The rent is too damn high, and we don’t have enough damn housing.”
Whitmer highlighted plans for the state to make its largest advancement yet towards building new and rehabilitating old homes, looking to put nearly $1.4 billion toward 10,000 houses. This development is also slated to bring thousands of jobs in various trades, such as carpentry, bricklaying and roofing.
In terms of development and infrastructure, Whitmer is looking to have more Michigan-made products, and encourage small businesses and startups to plant their roots here. She is also planning to continue fixing the roads.
“With the new innovation fund, we can launch hundreds of new Michigan-based startups, and create thousands of jobs. Together we’re gonna build an infrastructure of innovation so founders can start and build their companies right here,” Whitmer said.
The Hire in MI. program was also introduced, which states that “the more you hire in Michigan, the more you save in Michigan.”
Going back to one of her original campaign promises, Whitmer said she plans to continue her efforts to fix the infamous roads and called on the Department of Transportation to authorize the remaining $700 million of the Rebuilding Michigan plan.
As we look forward to the new year, the Lions head to the NFC game and the Wolverines come down from their national championship win, there is much to celebrate in Michigan.
“Every Michigander deserves a classic Michigan story. You work hard, follow your dreams and build a great life. When you get knocked down, you get up again. You keep fighting, that’s what makes us special,” Whitmer said. “Heck, just look at our Lions.”
